Last Updated on April 22, 2023, 5:16 PM | Published: April 22, 2023
OKLAHOMA CITY — April events are already off to a strong start in OKC with the 6th annual Steamroller Print Fest that was held Saturday, April 22 at the ARTSPACE at Untitled, 1 NE 3rd St in Oklahoma City.
This unique arts fest is focused specifically on screen-printed art and showcases 75 regional artists like featured artists Kathleen Neeley and Rick Sinnett.
It is the largest printmaking festival in the state, featuring 158 artists from ARTSPACE at Untitled’s mentorship program. That program includes a group of OKCPS high school students who come to the studio once a month for no cost to use the materials and nourish their artistry.
The festival was founded in 2013 as a way for mentorship artists to showcase their work. Since then, the festival has grown to be an annual highlight for the arts community, one of the largest fundraising events for the ARTSPACE at Untitled mentorship program.
Uniqueness of screen printing
According to Cori Crawford, ARTSPACE at Untitled Director of Communications, screen printing has a unique history and a DIY element that brings people together and allows for accessibility to art, especially for young artists.
Angela Ulloa was in the mentorship for four years and is now a volunteer for the festival. She said she treasured her time in the program.
“I got a lot of opportunities to do a lot of things I never thought I’d ever do,” Ulloa said.
Today, she’s manning the children’s activity tent, where guests are invited to stamp their own creations with pre-made stamps. She said she looks forward to this event every year.
“The Steamroller Print Fest is really cool,” Ulloa said. “I’m glad it’s back because in 2020 it didn’t happen due to COVID-19. Now that it’s back, it’s better than ever.”
The ‘steamroller‘
Aptly named, a highlight of the Steamroller Print Festival is a live screen printing with a 5-ton pavement roller normally used for compressing asphalt used to cover roads and highways.
For many years the rollers were powered by steam, just as were most road-building heavy equipment, and the nostalgia of the steamroller provides the name of the event.
Every year, Silver Star Construction sponsors the Steamroller Fest and provides the roller and a driver for this event. There are “rumblings” that a certain Thunder mascot may be making an appearance as a guest driver.
Each artist provides either a 2 x 2 or a 2 x 4 woodblock, printed by the roller throughout the day.
“People can purchase a unique print from a local artist, and they can see it being made right in front of them with a steamroller, which is super fun,” Crawford said.
The event is free and open to all ages, and prints are available to purchase for one day only.
“It’s great to see so many people come together just to have a good fun day,” Crawford said.
Hands-on creativity and fun
This year, there’s an emphasis on hands-on demonstrations from artists with the following schedule –
- Electric Letterpress with Jimmie Wire – all day
- Stamp making with Mia Pons – 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
- Relief printing with Kathleen Neeley – 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
- Screen-printing with Rick Sinnett – 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm
- Letterpress printing with Chuck Peel – 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
There are also 42 local vendors including jewelry artists, ceramicists, printmakers, bakers, soap artisans, and so much more. Food trucks, popsicle trucks, and local businesses of all kinds have goods for sale at this arts fest.
Local artists are soaking in the cool Spring weather and buzz of excitement, while the community gathers together to support printmakers, vendors, and artisans.
Cassandra Good and Jessi Casebeer are bundled up and manning a booth for “A Good Space Studio”, selling prints, paintings, jewelry, ceramics, and art of all kinds.
“It’s our third year participating, and it’s always been a great environment,” Good said. “It’s great to see all the artists that come and do prints.”
This year, over 200 artists have an opportunity to showcase and sell their work at the Steamroller Print Fest, and guests come together for a unique and engaging arts festival.
Zoe Travers has spent her career covering local musicians, artists, politicians, and everyday folks. She is also Oklahoma City’s most enthusiastic connoisseur of cheese danishes.
